Bella's smug smile faltered slightly when I didn't react, but her confidence returned quickly, as if fueled by a thought she couldn't wait to share. She leaned forward, her fingers resting lightly on her swollen belly, her voice dripping with faux innocence.

"Ah, sorry about last night," she said sweetly. "I actually wanted Dominik to stay home with you, but just after he left, my stomach started acting up." She stroked her belly gently, her lips curving into a triumphant grin. "Seems like the baby was missing his daddy. I hope it wasn't too cold for you to sleep alone."

I shifted in my seat, leaning lazily against the backrest to ease the sharp, stabbing pain in my stomach. Crossing my arms, I offered her a slow, deliberate smile.

"Bella, it must be exhausting to be a mistress," I said, my tone light but cutting.

Her expression twisted into something ugly, her smile vanishing in an instant. "Nadia, you're the mistress!" she spat, her voice trembling with fury. "If I hadn't gone abroad back then, you would never have had the chance to marry him!"

I arched an eyebrow, unfazed by her outburst. "And whose fault was it that you left? I didn't send you away."

Her face darkened, her jaw tightening. Memories flashed in my mind—how Bella had fled the moment her family's business went bankrupt, leaving Dominik behind to fend for himself.

"Shut up!" she snapped, her hands clenching into fists. "Even if you married him and supported him during his hardest years—so what?!" She leaned forward, her voice dripping with venom. "He still refused to have kids with you! From the beginning, he's only ever loved me!"

My nails bit into my palms, the pain grounding me as the ache in my stomach worsened. I kept my face carefully neutral, unwilling to give her the satisfaction of seeing me break.

"Why are you even here, Bella?" I asked, my voice calm despite the storm raging inside me. "Not just to gloat, I hope. Shouldn't you be urging Dominik to divorce me instead?" I leaned in slightly, my gaze locked on hers. "After all, as long as we're married, you're nothing more than his mistress. And the baby you're carrying... well, it's just a bastard."

Her face contorted with rage, her composure slipping entirely. Bella's repeated provocations only confirmed what I already suspected—she hadn't convinced Dominik to divorce me yet. And he didn't do so not because he loved me, but because he didn't dare.

The room was tense, the air heavy with unspoken words. Suddenly, Bella grabbed her glass of water and flung its contents at me. The cold liquid hit my face, dripping down onto my blouse, but I stayed still, unmoving.

At that exact moment, Dominik walked in.

"Dominik!" Bella cried, her voice trembling as she collapsed onto the floor, clutching her belly like she was in agony. Tears streamed down her face as she sobbed dramatically. "She pushed me! My stomach hurts... What if something happens to our baby?!"

I stayed seated, the water trickling from my face onto the floor in steady drops. My gaze remained fixed on Dominik, who rushed to Bella's side without hesitation, his voice low and soothing as he helped her up.

"She called me a mistress!" Bella wailed, her voice shrill. "She said our baby is a bastard!"

My fingers curled into fists under the table, but I kept my face calm, even as my heart ached.

"Enough," Dominik said sharply, cutting off her tirade. "Go home now."

Bella's eyes widened in disbelief, but before she could protest, he turned to me. His brows furrowed as he took in my pale complexion and trembling frame. "Honey, are you okay? You look really pale."

I let out a short, bitter laugh. "Dominik, unless you're blind, you should've seen her throw water on me."

He stared at me, his face unreadable, the silence between us stretching uncomfortably long.

"Let's talk at home," he said finally, his tone measured.

I felt my resolve cracking under the weight of his gaze. Still, I forced myself to smile, even as bitterness welled up inside me. Without a word, I reached for the jug of water on the table and tipped it over Bella's head.

Water cascaded down her hair and onto her clothes, her shrieks filling the café as I stood up. My movements were slow and deliberate, the pain in my stomach nearly doubling me over, but I refused to show it.

If Dominik wouldn't defend my dignity, I would do it myself.

As I walked away, Bella's screams followed me. "Can't you see, Dominik?! She's bullying me! You have to divorce her!"

***

That evening, Dominik came home earlier than usual. I was hunched over the toilet, my body wracked with violent heaves as blood stained the water.

The doctor had told me to admit myself to the hospital immediately, but I hadn't gone. Seeing the blood swirling in the bowl, I realized it didn't matter. I probably didn't have much time left.

I was so lost in my thoughts, drowning in the weight of everything, that I didn't even notice him standing in the doorway.

It wasn't until I heard Dominik's anxious voice behind me that I realized he was home. "Honey, are you okay?"

His footsteps hurried to the bathroom door and when his gaze fell on the blood swirling in the toilet, his face paled. Without waiting for an answer, he crouched beside me and wrapped his arms around my shoulders, his touch firm but trembling. "I'm taking you to the hospital now."

I pushed him away, though the movement drained what little strength I had. My voice came out soft but steady. "No, I don't need to go."

"Nadia," he pleaded, his voice cracking, "I was wrong. I can explain everything about Bella. But please, let's go to the hospital first."

I met his gaze, searching for even a flicker of sincerity in the pain etched into his features. But all I saw was urgency—whether for me or his guilt, I couldn't tell.

Using the sink for support, I wobbled to my feet, refusing his outstretched hand. My voice was calm, emotionless. "It's fine. It's just gastritis."

Dominik exhaled a sigh of relief, his shoulders relaxing slightly. "Ah, okay. If you say so."

But the reprieve was short-lived. As I shuffled toward the bedroom, his footsteps followed me and his voice grew soft with forced reason. "Nadia, I know Bella was out of line, but she's pregnant and going through a lot right now. Her emotions are all over the place. Please try to understand."

I climbed into bed, leaning weakly against the headboard. My hands gripped the blanket tightly, hiding the tremble in my fingers.

Dominik hovered near the edge of the bed, misinterpreting my silence as encouragement to continue. "Look, she was scared. I don't think you meant to frighten her, but you shouldn't have done that to her."

My lips curved into a bitter smile as I lifted my gaze to meet his. "Dominik, am I supposed to sympathize with the mistress carrying my husband's child?" My voice was steady, but each word carried a weight that pressed on the room like a heavy fog.

He flinched. "Nadia, I didn't mean—"

I cut him off, my tone sharper now. "Or do you, like Bella, believe I'm the one who took her place as your wife? That I'm actually the mistress here?"

Dominik ran a hand through his hair, frustration flickering in his eyes. "That's not what I meant," he muttered, his voice strained.

Perhaps realizing how pale I looked, his expression softened. He stepped closer, taking my hand in his and lowered his voice. "Nadia, no one can replace you. I won't divorce you."

He kissed the back of my hand, his lips lingering as though to reassure me. "I know you're upset about Bella's pregnancy, but I did this for your sake. I didn't want you to suffer through the pain of labor."

I stared at him, my chest tightening as he rubbed my hand gently. "You've done so much for me," he continued. "How could I bear to put you through that kind of hardship?"

I let out a dry laugh, the sound hollow in the quiet room. "But you can bear to let Bella go through it?"

Dominik hesitated, then tightened his grip on my fingers. "Bella's in better health than you," he said, his tone almost matter-of-fact. "Her pregnancy has been relatively easy so far. Don't worry. From now on, I'll make sure she doesn't bother you again. You'll always be my wife. Bella and her child will never come between us."

His gaze softened further, his eyes filled with the same tenderness he had shown me in the early days of our relationship. But the warmth that once comforted me now felt hollow, a performance I could no longer believe.

I pulled my hand away from his grasp, the chill of detachment settling over me. Reaching into the bedside drawer, I retrieved a stack of papers and held them out.

"Dominik, I can't accept you having a mistress and a child with another woman. Let's get a divorce."

His reaction was immediate, his eyes flashing red with fury. He snatched the papers from my hand, his knuckles whitening as he tore them into shreds. The pieces fluttered to the floor like ashes, his breath heavy and uneven, as though he were the one who had been betrayed.

***

The next morning, I awoke to the smell of something familiar wafting from the kitchen. When I stepped into the hallway, I saw Dominik standing at the stove, an apron tied neatly around his waist. The sight should have been comforting, but instead, it felt surreal.

He turned toward me, his face lighting up with a warm smile. "Nadia, come have breakfast."

I froze, unable to reconcile his gentle demeanor with the man who had torn the divorce papers apart only hours before. He walked over, pulling me into his arms, his familiar scent enveloping me.

"Nadia, please don't be upset," he murmured, his lips brushing against my hair. "The weather's been lovely lately. How does a staycation at the beach sound?"

His words, so tender and sweet, made my throat tighten. Tears prickled at the corners of my eyes and I swallowed hard to keep them from falling. I nodded wordlessly, too exhausted to resist.

Dominik's face lit up with joy and he kissed my forehead. "Don't worry about a thing. I'll take care of everything."

***

On the day of the trip, I forced myself to endure the nausea and weakness that gripped my body. The sharp pain in my stomach came and went, but I swallowed it down, determined to make it through.

Even though I vomited several times along the way, Dominik stayed by my side, his hand firm on my back as he murmured words of comfort. For a brief moment, I allowed myself to believe that everything might be okay.

I had made up my mind. After this trip, I would tell him the truth about my illness.

Even if the chances were slim, I would fight for treatment. I couldn't deny it—I was too weak to face this alone. I still needed him.

***

The rhythmic sound of the ocean waves crashing against the shore lulled me into a deep sleep. But that night, in the small, mosquito-netted bungalow, I awoke to an unsettling emptiness.

My hand instinctively reached out, searching for the warmth of his body beside me. But instead of finding him, my fingers met only the cool, rumpled sheets.

Dominik was gone.

I dragged myself out of bed and walked toward the bungalow door. My legs felt weak, my steps unsteady, but a strange pull urged me forward. As I approached, the soft glow of the moonlight illuminated two figures framed by the window.

My breath caught. There, outside, Bella leaned into Dominik's chest, her face tilted up toward his.

"Well? Did you manage to coax her?" she asked, her voice as smooth as honey.

Dominik's arm tightened protectively around her. "Bella, you're the only one who truly understands me. I can't believe you came here, especially while you're pregnant. It couldn't have been easy."

Bella shyly pressed herself closer, her hand resting lightly on his chest. "You know I'm not a jealous person. Your happiness is all that matters to me."

I stood frozen, the scene unfolding like a slow, agonizing nightmare. When they kissed, I thought I might crumble. Dominik's hand cupped her face tenderly, his other hand brushing the curve of her belly.

"I'm afraid of hurting you and the baby," he murmured, his voice laced with a tenderness he hadn't shown me in years. "Let's wait a little longer."

Bella smiled coyly. "It's okay. I asked the doctor. We can do it."

The knot in my stomach twisted so tightly I thought I might be sick. I couldn't bear to watch anymore. I stumbled back, clutching the doorframe for support as nausea wracked my body. Dry-heaving, I leaned over the sink, but nothing came up.

My mind raced. If he loved her so much, why did he bother keeping up this charade with me?

***

By the first day of the trip, exhaustion and mounting emotions took their toll. My body felt like a dead weight, dragging me down as I lay in bed. Each breath came harder than the last, each second felt like an eternity.

Unable to bear it any longer, I weakly reached for my phone and dialed Dominik's number. My fingers trembled and each unanswered ring echoed in the silent room.

After countless attempts, I had no choice but to get up. My body felt as though thousands of ants were crawling under my skin, gnawing at my bones and flesh. Every step was agony.

Just as I opened the door, Bella appeared on the other side. She held Dominik's phone in her hand, her lips curved into a triumphant smile.

"Looking for your husband?" she asked mockingly. "Don't worry. I sent him out to buy me something to eat."

Her words stung, but I had no energy left to argue. I tried to step past her, but she blocked my path.

"Nadia," she said, her voice syrupy and cold as she leaned closer. Suddenly, her hand shot out and grabbed mine. "This time, let's see if your marriage can survive this."

Before I could react, Bella let out a shriek and tumbled down the stairs. I stood there, stunned, my hand still outstretched in a position that made it look as though I had pushed her.

"Bella!"

Dominik's voice roared through the air as he rushed past me, his face contorted with panic.

I stared down at Bella, who lay groaning at the bottom of the stairs, clutching her stomach. My lips parted to explain, but the words caught in my throat.

"It wasn't me. It was her—"

A sharp crack rang out, silencing me. My head whipped to the side as Dominik's slap left my cheek burning.

"Nadia, I never thought you could be this heartless!" Bella wailed dramatically from below, her sobs blending with Dominik's ragged breathing.

I staggered, already weak and collapsed to the ground. A sharp pain shot through my chest and I coughed violently, blood spilling onto my palm.

Dominik's expression twisted with disgust. "Quit the act. I only hit you once. How could you possibly cough up blood?"

He knelt to lift Bella into his arms, his movements gentle, careful. As he turned toward the door, I instinctively grabbed his leg, desperation clawing at me.

"Dominik," I choked out, tears streaming down my face. "I didn't push her. I need to go to the hospital too."

He kicked my hand away, his voice cold and cutting. "Nadia, you've disappointed me."

I crumpled to the floor, my body trembling with the weight of his words. And then I laughed. I laughed until my vision blurred with tears, laughed until another wave of blood surged up from my throat. Darkness enveloped me.

***

When I woke, the sterile white of the hospital room greeted me. The doctor stood by my bedside, his expression grim.

"Mrs. Bennet," he said, his tone heavy with pity, "your condition has worsened. At most, you have three to four months left."

The words barely registered. I nodded absently, my gaze drifting to the window.

He lingered, as if searching for something to say, but I turned away. It was time to say my goodbyes.

***

As I packed my belongings to leave the hospital, Dominik appeared in the doorway. He looked haggard, his eyes red and swollen as though he had been crying.